HOME PROFILE: Beautiful home is all about the view

Monday

Jul 24, 2017 at 6:56 AM

Thirty-five feet above sea level on the site of the former Fountain Inn, this two-owner home built in 1973 is on one of the most picturesque waterfront settings on the North Shore. With it is a stunning almost 180-degree panorama over Little Harbor that includes Gerry, Baker’s and Children’s Island plus Fort Sewall and the entrance to Marblehead’s main harbor.

By Barbara Forster / GateHouse Media

ADDRESS: 8 Fountain Inn Lane, Marblehead

BEDROOMS: 3

BATHROOMS: 3 full; 1 half

LIVING SPACE: 3,426 sq. ft.

PRICE: $2,650,000

Thirty-five feet above sea level on the site of the former Fountain Inn, this two-owner home built in 1973 is on one of the most picturesque waterfront settings on the North Shore. With it is a stunning almost 180-degree panorama over Little Harbor that includes Gerry, Baker’s and Children’s Island plus Fort Sewall and the entrance to Marblehead’s main harbor.

A seaside lifestyle is part of the package, too. Smell the salt air on waking each morning to a day that will be unique with changing tides, weather and wildlife. Flocks of gulls troll the water for schools of striped bass or bluefish and in winter, eiders and swans join mallard ducks and herring gulls.

The bonus is a fabulous wrap-around deck at the back of the house — essentially an outdoor living-dining room — with areas protected from the vagaries of Mother Nature and fully open sections. Undercover or not, all spaces encourage lingering to enjoy moonrises, sunsets and the ever-changing harbor scene: Wednesday sailing races, visiting "tall" ships or youngsters of all ages skipping rocks from the private beach.

At Little Harbor, days are never dull.

And when you go in …

Everything about the first floor is designed for easy daily living and gracious entertaining. The fully open living-dining room that is almost the width of the house has beautiful details like an extra-wide, floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace with a raised hearth and gleaming hardwood flooring. This bright airy room flows seamlessly into a spacious family/sitting room with an old-fashioned swinging door to the kitchen. We’ll go there in a moment.

Yet what compels immediate attention is beyond floor-to-ceiling windows and full glass pane doors across the back of the house: that magnificent view of Little Harbor and its surroundings.

Now about the kitchen …

Wonderfully large, the eat-in kitchen has work and cabinet space to spare. That includes a built-in desk. Exceptionally functional as is — and quite charming as well — achieving a contemporary look is easy. Mostly cosmetic changes do the trick. Of course, a complete renovation is always an option and the really good news is that "space" doesn’t need to be created. It’s here — now.

The kitchen even has a view: the sink overlooks colorful flowering gardens interspersed within the giant granite boulders, i.e., ledge that is a backdrop for the house.

The entrance off the back porch — this is large, too — doubles as a mud room and extra pantry. A tile floor equals easy maintenance.

Let’s keep going

A grand-size wrap-around landing is an appropriate introduction to the second floor with all its treats including a huge walk-in closet/storage room that could be a sweet office. Wait ’til you see what’s next…

"Big" is an understatement for the master suite considering that the sleeping chamber where a king-size bed fits comfortably can handle additional seating, a desk, etc. Yet size is far from the only outstanding feature. Almost floor-to-ceiling windows framing incredible harbor and island views are most impressive.

The ambiance in this suite reflects its waterside location. An accent wall of multi-width paneling painted white creates a beachy feel well suited to this room with mesmerizing harbor views.

On a practical note, the customized walk-in closet has something for everyone — make that a place for everything. In addition to open shelving and specialized hanging spaces, 10 built-in drawers eliminate clutter issues.

The en suite bathroom has its own bragging rights. A huge fully tiled step-in shower that has an oversized almost floor-to-ceiling window that provides a unique view of Little Harbor tops the list. Incidentally, privacy is ensured as the nearest neighbor is a granite ledge wall.

The enclosure has a custom interior "window" wall, too where the top is glass; the bottom pony wall section is covered in tile.

Two sinks, a privacy wall for the commode and a medicine/linen "pantry" are finishing touches.

Don’t overlook the other two bedrooms as these are guaranteed people pleasers. One with two double closets is large enough for king-size bed.

At this point, that the shared bathroom on the second floor is "big" should come as no surprise. This light-filled room also has a tub/shower combination.

Up to three

Fully finished with all kinds of wonderful features like sparkling fir flooring, the third floor is a big (as in very) multi-purpose space. Consider that a ping ping/pool/billiard table fits comfortably plus ample room for seating and other activities. Two built-in desk areas — one is a wrap-around affair with storage and the other is long, long and longer — accommodate at least two users simultaneously.

Additional built-ins (closed cupboards and open shelving) at one end of the "office" work well as a media center. Like the rest of the house, closet space is plentiful. By the way, this room has access to a pull-down attic.

Even on this level, the view is front and center thanks to a wall of windows.

While the full bathroom with a stand-up shower is a convenience, it also ratchets up the number of use options for this floor including potential guest/teen quarters or another en suite bedroom. On the other hand, maintaining the "family/rec room" status quo is more than nice!

Contact Mitch Wondolowski of William Raveis Real Estate at 781-718-4266 or by email: mitch.wondo@gmail.com.